Rigoberto Uran to ride Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in 2015

Etixx-Quick-Step has confirmed that Rigoberto Uran will make an attempt at the Giro d'Italia title in 2015, before riding for stage wins at the Tour de France shortly afterwards.

The Colombian finished second in the 2014 edition of the Giro behind compatriot Nairo Quintana, but will come up against the likes of Alberto Contador in 2015 as he challenges for the pink jersey.

Uran held the maglia rosa for five days in this year's race and took a stage win, but will not be looking to challenge for the yellow jersey at the Tour de France almost two months later.

"I plan on racing 'The Double' [Giro and Tour]," said Uran. "I will be racing two big grand tours, which changes my calendar needs a bit. About the Giro, I saw the parcours and I think I can do well. It is suited to my skills.

"In the past two years I was on the overall podium of the Giro, so of course my objective is to be there among the best, even this year."

Having not ridden the Tour for three years, Uran is sure that his differing objectives in both the grand tours will help him to overcome the difficulty of riding both races back-to-back.

"I know it is difficult to do the Giro and the Tour at a high level," he said, "but as you know I like to think about things race-by-race and I am able to focus on two different objectives during my season in this way.

"My approach will be different at the Tour than at the Giro. I will try to go there to do well, but it will be more linked to rediscovering the race and to stage hunt. But of course I'd also like to do well in the last week, and give a hand to the team when necessary."

Uran's team also confirmed the climber would be competing at both the Colombian National Championship Road Race and Time Trial in February, before moving onto the likes of Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour de Romandie as part of his Giro build-up.

Quick-Step are currently at a training camp in Oliva, Spain to prepare for the new season in January.